Juvenile Watch: Royal Ascot tips for the Albany and Chesham

I have to confess to being stunned that has chosen to ride

Fairy Godmother

over my selection

Heavens Gate

. There can be no getting away from the fact that it’s not a positive. But whether it’s conviction of mind or plain obstinacy I’m not going to be swayed from my decision.

Heavens Gate is from a particularly stout pedigree, her dam has actually produced a three-mile chase winner, so the fact she was seen as being pacey enough to debut over five-furlongs and then run credibly is a positive.

She then took a sizeable step forward on her second start when upped to six-furlongs at the on her second start, she travelled much the best into the contest and showed a surprisingly smart turn of foot to get to the lead before showing plenty of stamina, as you would expect, to pull right away from her rivals.

Runner-up, and stable mate, January gave the form a boost when she won on her next start.

Moore gets precious little wrong in his riding career but I think this might be one of those rare occasions where his judgement is not quite on target.

certainly needs respecting given her powerful connections  - in addition to the fact that she was rare debut winner for the yard so far this season - but her win at Leopardstown came over half a furlong further and on ground with more cut and I question whether she’ll be at home under these conditions.

I prefer for Charlie Appleby. He looked immature on his debut at and was noticeably slow into his stride though he did race with a pleasant and relaxed manner and, given this seven furlongs represents a strong stamina test at this time of the season for juveniles, I see that as a significant positive. He got to the front under minimal pressure without looking fully aware of his job but late on seemed to switch on and pulled readily clear.

By Frankel and a full brother to Fivethousandtoone, runner-up in the Mill Reef in his two-year old season, this step up to seven furlongs will suit Age Of Gold well and I expect him to go very close.

At a much bigger price I also want to back Chilly Breeze each-way. By Ulysses, he defied his pedigree to win over five furlongs at on his second start when rallying well in the closing stages. That form has worked out well, with runner-up Teej A scoring twice since while fourth also won on his next start.

David Evans wouldn’t be a household name but he saddled Rohaan to win the Wokingham Handicap in 2021 and the trainer is perfectly capable when given the ammunition. 

Ulysses sired 2022 Chesham winner Holloway Boy, who incidentally is a half-brother to Humid, the dam of Chilly Breeze. This smart pedigree may well get overlooked and, at a current best price of 33-1, I think he offers some each way value.